Drewer called back for modern Cannonball, becomes 'Undertaker'.

After winning class last year in his first attempt at the grueling event, US based Australian racing driver Tom Drewer has been called back for this year’s TIRE RACK One Lap of America (May 5-12), the successor of Brock Yates’ infamous Cannonball Run of the early 70s (immortalized by movies Cannonball Run and The Gumball Rally).

Billed as “the toughest eight days of racing featuring the fastest street-legal cars on America's most challenging racetracks”, the 2012 One Lap of America spans ten states, nearly 3,500 miles (over 5,500km), and visits nine motorsport parks. No support crews are allowed and competition stages include a number of disciplines including skid-pad, autocross, short-track oval, road-course and drag-racing.

Drewer (Adelaide, AUS), an American IMSA Prototype Lites Champion, will be driving with 2011 US GT Champion Steve Loudin (Chicagoland, IL) in a 4260 pound, 425 horsepower Hemi powered 2008 Dodge Magnum SRT-8 automatic station wagon.

The Tricel Honeycomb / NARRA / American Outfitters / Frankenstitch Promotions sponsored car is affectionately known as the ‘Hemi Hearse’ and fittingly the team is entered as ‘The Undertakers’. They will race against ten other teams in the SSGT2 Big Bore class, including a factory entered Roush Performance Stage 3 2013 Ford Mustang. A total of 75 cars will compete in this year’s event.

Drewer was due to drive with Loudin last year until a family emergency resulted in Loudin withdrawing his entry and Drewer gaining a seat in a 400hp Chevrolet Corvette LS-1 powered 1987 Porsche 944.

Without ever sitting in the car prior to the first competition stage, Drewer finished with 10 class wins and 5 top fifteen outright results to take the Vintage Foreign class win and 21st overall with co-driver and car owner Joe Browne. The 2011 One Lap was won outright by Le Mans and Rolex regular Leh Keen, driving a Nissan GT-R.

Loudin also has One Lap experience, finishing 4th in class in the 2006 event, co-driving a similar SRT-8 magnum with Aaron Vanassche.

Over the past couple of years, Drewer and Loudin have shared much success on the track. Drewer coached Loudin to back-to-back series wins in 2010 and 2011, including winning the GT-2 class of the inaugural US GT Championship.

And while the pair know each other well, after spending a week together in their Hemi-Hearse, there’s unlikely to be any secrets between the Undertakers.

You can follow their progress via twitter @HemiHearse (twitter.com/@HemiHearse).

History of the Cannonball Run and the TIRE RACK One Lap of America

Devised by Brock Yates, the then senior editor of Car and Driver Magazine, the Cannonball, or ‘Cannonball Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash’ was a “flat out, no-holds-barred race” from New York City to Redondo Beach, California with competitors navigating US highways at speeds well in excess of the posted limits. 

With safety advocates hot on his heels, and a realization it was only time before he might end up before a grand jury, Yates ended the event and turned his attention to immortalizing the Cannonball by writing the screen play for Cannonball Run (1976). However, the best representation of the original event is possibly The Gumball Rally (1976). 

In the 1980s Yates created a “kinder, gentler” successor, in which competitors weren’t required to speed. The Cannonball One Lap of America was born. Beginning as an endurance rally with points given for following precise instructions, the event began to take on more and speed events at the competitors’ requests. 

In 1992 the event found its current format, near 24 hour driving each day with competition stages held as time-trials on race tracks throughout the United States. 

Learn more at www.onelapofamerica.com

About Tom Drewer

Drewer has been touted as one of Australia’s future Le Mans winners by respected motorsport commentator and cartoonist, John ‘Stonie’ Stoneham. 

In his first year of North American competition Australian Tom Drewer dominated IMSA Lites 2 in 2008, taking the Championship with 11 pole positions, 10 wins, setting 5 lap records, all on unfamiliar circuits. 

This gave Tom back-to-back Championships across the Pacific after he took the Australian Thundersports Sports Car Championship for West Race Cars in 2007. Drewer’s driving duties were split in 2007 with seats in both the Fujitsu V8 and V8 Giant Supercar Series, the feeder categories to Australia's premier motor racing series, V8 Supercars. 

Drewer made his transition to cars in 2002, driving Formula Vees and winning the FVASA Drivers’ Championship, after a stellar karting career beginning at age 7 and once backed by triple World Champion Nikki Lauda’s airline, Lauda-Air. 

Australia’s AutoAction magazine named Drewer ‘Best Overseas Rookie’ in their 2008 annual awards while prestigious Wheels magazine put Drewer in their ‘Hot Half Dozen Watch List’ for 2009. 

In 2010, Drewer was asked to make the world debut of the new Volkswagen GTI by American works team APR Motorsports, and drove a Formula 3 car for the first time at Philip Island, for R-Tek Motorsports. He was also awarded the coveted ‘Granton T. Harrison Memorial Trophy’ by the Sporting Car Club of South Australia.

Last year Drewer won class in the grueling week long Tire Rack One Lap of America event, in his first ever attempt. Recently Drewer competed in at the Clipsal 500 Adelaide V8 Supercar event, driving an Aussie Racing Car.

When not behind the wheel, Drewer acts as a spokesperson for the North American Road Racing Association, their US GT Championship and Whelen US TimeTrial Championship.

Learn more at www.tomdrewer.com

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Drewer wins class in Cannonball Run successor, One Lap of America.

Australian international sports car star Tom Drewer has won the Vintage Foreign class in his first ever attempt at the gruelling week-long Tire Rack One Lap of America, an event that has its origins with the infamous Cannonball Run of the early 70s (immortalised by movies Cannonball Run and The Gumball Rally).

75 cars including works entries from Roush Performance, MazdaSpeed, Dodge, BMW Performance Driving School and TopSpeed Motorsports started the week long competition billed as “the toughest 8 days of racing featuring the fastest street-legal cars on America's most challenging racetracks!”.

Teams covered over 5000 miles with no support crews, beginning in South Bend, Indiana (near Chicago) down the East Coast to New Orleans and back.

Multi-disciplinary competition stages including time-trials, autocross and drag-racing were held at Grissom Air Force Base, the BMW Performance Center test-track and circuits scattered down America’s East Coast including the famed Daytona International Speedway (home of NASCAR’s Daytona 500 and the Rolex 24 At Daytona sports car race).

Drewer finished with 10 class wins and 5 top fifteen outright results to take the Vintage Foreign class win and 21st outright with co-driver Joe Browne. Continues...

Commenting on the win Drewer said;

“This was quite a special win. Many people take years to win class in One Lap and I’ve done it in my first attempt!

Not only was this event one of the most grueling and challenging I’ve ever competed in, but it was extremely satisfying to win in an unfamiliar car on many unfamiliar tracks.

The level of competition was very high and I’m proud that we took Joe’s home-built 944 and mixed it up with the factory efforts and big budget teams.

One Lap of America is something every true driver should do.”

Notable drivers in the event included overall winner, and Le Mans and Rolex regular, Leh Keen (TopSpeed Motorsports Nissan GT-R), World Challenge Mazda factory drivers Charles Espenlaub and Jason Saini and Grand-Am Roush drivers Billy Johnson and Jack Roush Jr.

Drewer secured a last minute drive in the Corvette LS-1 V8 powered Porsche 944 co-driven by Joe Browne after originally planning to drive with Steve Loudin in a SRT Magnum.

Having never stepped into the car prior to the first competition stage, Drewer showed his class and versatility by finishing 13th outright on the wet skid pad, out pacing both Roush entries and eventual winner, Leh Keen.

Commenting further on the event Drewer said;

“This has been an amazing week. I thought the event was all over before it had even started, and then I got the call from Joe [Browne], owner of the Porsche 944.

I’d never driven on a skid pad, let alone a wet one. And my first time driving the Porsche was out to the event. Our first result set the tone for the week, and immediately I knew if we kept it all together, and on the black-stuff, we might be in with a shot.

Summit Point was my first laps in the car on a circuit. Luckily I’d been to Summit testing the American Le Mans Panoz GT2 car so it was a case of feeling out the balance of the Porsche. But we had to tread carefully through this event– both front wheels were literally shooting out flames and molten brake material.

We managed the brakes at Carolina Motorsports Park too, and although I was first in class in the morning session, my teammate suffered from the fading brakes and had a spin costing us valuable points and dropping us to second in class points.

It was a worrying sign but we made a 3 hour detour on the transit between Summit and BMW to pick up new brake pads. With no time to change them we pulled into Daytona with the sound of metal on metal.

Daytona was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I was determined to make up for Joe’s spin with my first ever laps around Daytona, and I pushed hard– flat through the banking and braking as late as I could into 1 and carrying as much speed as I could through the bus-stop.

With all the factory and high horsepower efforts I was surprised to see we were so far up in the standings, 15th overall.

The long nights of transit started to wear on me after Daytona, but with the great result I knew we could claw our way back to first. We had a couple of nights with only 2 hours sleep. Honestly being able to pull the helmet for the competition time-trials was a relief because you stopped focussing on how tired you were, the headaches, the deliriousness.

Joe had an epic performance at the drag strip and I pushed hard on the remaining circuits. It was a case of analyzing new tracks and balancing risk and reward. We dominated the remaining events, consistently bringing home top 15 overall results. But because of that spin at CMP we were behind in the points right up to the second to last day.

At Autobahn, again I just tried to extract as much as I could out of my self on two new tracks in what was still a relatively unfamiliar car. Two more class wins and top fifteen results finally gave us the buffer we needed, and all we had to do back at the Tire Rack skidpad on the final day was cruise to seal the deal.

This has been epic. While it’s not a conventional race, it’s a very special event. The level of competition and the camaraderie is outstanding, and I’ve just added another six US circuits to the CV.”

Drewer’s team mate, Joe Browne, added;

“Tom is a world-class racer. It was his first one-lap and he pulled it off with style and grace, driving fast on the track and safely on the road. We were lucky to get him on the team.

It’s been my dream to win class on One Lap and I couldn’t have done it without him.”

###

History of the Cannonball Run and the TIRE RACK One Lap of America.

Devised by Brock Yates, the then senior editor of Car and Driver Magazine, the Cannonball, or ‘Cannonball Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash’ was a “flat out, no-holds-barred race” from New York City to Redondo Beach, California with competitors navigating US highways at speeds well in excess of the posted limits. With safety advocates hot on his heels, and a realisation it was only time before he might end up before a grand jury, Yates ended the event and turned his attention to immortalising the Cannonball by writing the screen play for Cannonball Run (1976). However, the best representation of the original event is possibly The Gumball Rally (1976).

In the 1980s Yates created a “kinder, gentler” successor, in which competitors weren’t required to speed. The Cannonball One Lap of America was born. Beginning as an endurance rally with points given for following precise instructions, the event began to take on more and speed events at the competitors’ requests. In 1992 the event found its current format, near 24 hour driving each day with competition stages held as time-trials on race tracks throughout the United States.

Learn more at www.onelapofamerica.com

More...

Drewer to drive USA Cannonball Run successor.

US based Australian racing driver Tom Drewer is to compete in this year’s TIRE RACK One Lap of America event (April 30 to May 7), an event that has its origins with the infamous Cannonball Run of the early 70s (immortalised by movies Cannonball Run and The Gumball Rally).

The event is billed as “the toughest 8 days of racing featuring the fastest street-legal cars on America's most challenging racetracks!”

Competition time-trial stages are held at Grissom Air Force Base, the BMW Performance Center test-track and circuits scattered down America’s East Coast including the famed Daytona International Speedway (home of NASCAR’s Daytona 500 and the Rolex 24 At Daytona sportscar race).

Driving for almost 24 hours each day, competitors are given just enough time to transport between stages, enduring a week covering over 5000 miles from Chicago down to New Orleans and back, with no support crews.

Essentially confined to their car for days on-end, competitors “battle fatigue, weather, traffic and the demands of high-speed competition with both unknown amateurs and seasoned professional drivers like Parnelli Jones, Price Cobb, John Buffum, Elliot Forbes Robinson and Hurley Haywood.”

Drewer, an American IMSA Prototype Lites Champion, is set to drive with Joe Browne in a modified 1987 Porsche 944 fitted with a Chevrolet Corvette LS-1 engine. Nicknamed ‘Ex Puppy’ because its engine transplant means it can now “run with the big dogs”, the 944 now has around 400hp (A stock 944 has 152hp).

Until early this week Drewer was co-driving with Steve Loudin in a 4260 pound, 425 horsepower Dodge Magnum SRT8 automatic station wagon. However due to a family emergency Loudin withdrew his entry. Drewer coached Loudin to victory in last year’s Viper Racing League Championship, and amongst his own driving commitments continues to coach Loudin in his 2011 US GT Championship campaign.

“I thought my One Lap had ended before it had even begun. Steve was heartbroken, as was I, that we could no longer compete. I know it was tough for him to withdraw, and my thoughts are with him and his family.

But it’s fantastic to be given the opportunity by Joe. I had a 944 Turbo road car back in Australia, so I know them well, albeit not with 400 horses under the bonnet!

The Cannonball events became instant legends and it’s going to be special to take part in its successor, the One Lap of America.”

The TIRE RACK One Lap of America begins Saturday April 30 near Chicago, Illinois and ends the following Saturday, May 7.


History of the Cannonball Run and the TIRE RACK One Lap of America.

Devised by Brock Yates, the then senior editor of Car and Driver Magazine, the Cannonball, or ‘Cannonball Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash’ was a “flat out, no-holds-barred race” from New York City to Redondo Beach, California with competitors navigating US highways at speeds well in excess of the posted limits.

With safety advocates hot on his heels, and a realization it was only time before he might end up before a grand jury, Yates ended the event and turned his attention to immortalizing the Cannonball by writing the screen play for Cannonball Run (1976). However, the best representation of the original event is possibly The Gumball Rally (1976).

In the 1980s Yates created a “kinder, gentler” successor, in which competitors weren’t required to speed. The Cannonball One Lap of America was born. Beginning as an endurance rally with points given for following precise instructions, the event began to take on more and speed events at the competitors’ requests.

In 1992 the event found its current format, near 24 hour driving each day with competition stages held as time-trials on race tracks throughout the United States.

Learn more at www.onelapofamerica.com


About Tom Drewer.

Drewer has been touted as one of Australia’s future Le Mans winners by respected motorsport commentator and cartoonist, John ‘Stonie’ Stoneham.

In his first year of North American competition Australian Tom Drewer dominated IMSA Lites 2 in 2008, taking the Championship with 11 pole positions, 10 wins, setting 5 lap records, all on unfamiliar circuits.

This gave Tom back-to-back Championships across the Pacific after he took the Australian Thundersports Sports Car Championship for West Race Cars in 2007. Drewer’s driving duties were split in 2007 with seats in both the Fujitsu V8 and V8 Giant Supercar Series, the feeder categories to Australia's premier motor racing series, V8 Supercars.

Drewer made his transition to cars in 2002, driving Formula Vees and winning the FVASA Drivers’ Championship, after a stellar karting career beginning at age 7 and once backed by triple World Champion Nikki Lauda’s airline, Lauda-Air.

Australia’s AutoAction magazine named Drewer ‘Best Overseas Rookie’ in their 2008 annual awards while prestigious Wheels magazine put Drewer in their ‘Hot Half Dozen Watch List’ for 2009.

Last year, 2010, Drewer was asked to make the world debut of the new Volkswagen GTI by American works team APR Motorsports. He also drove a Formula 3 car for the first time at Philip Island, finishing second in the National Class for R-Tek Motorsports. He was also awarded the coveted ‘Granton T. Harrison Memorial Trophy’ by the Sporting Car Club of South Australia.

Learn more at www.tomdrewer.com

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Drewer integral to Loudin’s Championship.

Newly crowned 2010 NARRA Viper Racing League Competition Coupe Champion Steve Loudin has attributed most of his championship winning success to his coach, Australian sportscar star Tom Drewer.

Upon receiving his Championship trophy Loudin called Drewer up to the podium to share the award. “I couldn’t have done it without my coach Tom Drewer, who has pushed me and my driving to a new level throughout the season”, said Loudin. “I have the utmost respect for Tom, and he is wise beyond his years. He is an amazing instructor, and anyone who is lucky enough to utilize him will see great results. I look forward to next year. I just hope he isn’t snatched up by one of the big guys!”

The Tricel Honeycomb Racing driver clinched the championship in a climatic and drama-filled final round of the Viper Racing League at Nevada’s Spring Mountain circuit, in which he had to endure downpours and desert heat.

Set to the backdrop of Nevada’s Death Valley and the Spring Mountain Range, from which the circuit takes its name, the VRL race coincided with the final round of the Dodge Viper Cup and NARRA’s Viper Days Performance Driving School...


Drewer, who has won sports car championships both in America and Australia was equally thrilled with Loudin’s win. “It’s almost as good as winning from the drivers’ seat! I’m extremely proud of Steve. He’s had a fantastic season and he thoroughly deserves this Championship. And he did it in real style this weekend, gaining class pole position and race win.”

The championship had come down to the wire, with only a few points separating Steve, his arch rival Tom Antonelli and Cathy Stout leading into the final round. With all the competitors feeling the pressure, Drewer put an equal amount of effort into managing Loudin’s mental focus as well as extracting the speed and performance required to win.

“I had set out a stringent program to maximize the five sessions leading up to qualifying, to keep Steve’s mind on his own progression and not that of his competitors.”

However that strategy changed with the onset of heavy rain.

“It was then about managing risk versus reward, but I felt it was very important for Steve to go out and continue to explore the circuit, which was new to him, in the changing conditions– especially as rain looked a possibility all weekend. We were not leaving anything to chance and to preserve our allocated rain tires for the more important sessions, we grooved slicks to give us extra track time.”

Unfortunately the difficult conditions caught fellow championship contender Tom Antonelli by surprise when he ventured out on to drying circuit. His championship hopes came to an abrupt end when he came unstuck navigating standing water leading onto the pit straight. Antonelli’s Competition Coupe hit the inside wall and the damage sustained was severe enough to end his weekend.

“The rivalry between Tom and Steve is only matched by their camaraderie. Steve was so devastated the Championship had in-effect been decided by a cruel blow, rather than a straight fight, that he was actually in tears for Tom. The respect and friendship these two guys have is amazing considering how hard they battle it out on the track. It’s what NARRA’s Viper Racing League is all about.

The pressure on both of them was immense and when it comes down to the wire its about who remains calm and collected. Continuing to head out in the wet had its element of risk but I thought we may also gain a mental edge over Tom, who sat most of the sessions out. It was a shame as I was looking forward to a ‘battle royal’ on the racetrack, just as it’s been all year. But hat’s off to Steve who has produced the results all year.

I have coached Steve at numerous events this year and each time we’ve won the majority of the races and the weekend, all at circuits I’d never driven around which is certainly makes it more of a challenge from a coaching stand-point, but something I thrive at.

It’s been particularly rewarding to extract the most out of him. For me his drive at Pocono, earlier in the year, was the standout of the season. I was pushing him so hard from the sidelines and he responded, keeping his focus and delivering lap after lap within a tenth or two. And let’s not forget that amazing reverse grid start, coming off the back to pass all but one of the entire field into the first corner. But it’s just one of the many examples of why he deserves this championship so much.

It’s been fantastic to see Steve become a stronger driver throughout the year and I’m very proud to have been involved in his personal development and his Championship win.”

More...

Drewer honoured with Granton T. Harrison Memorial Trophy.

The Sporting Car Club of South Australia has honoured one of their own, young Australian sports car star Tom Drewer for outstanding achievement in competition.

The trophy was named after Sporting Car Club of South Australia Granton Harrison whom raced the likes of Sir Jack Brabham. Previous winners include 1993 British Formula Ford Champion and V8 Supercar driver Russell Ingall. Tom Drewer’s father Mike, instrumental to his son’s success and a long time member of the SCCSA, accepted the award.

In a letter to club members Drewer said of winning the award, “It is very humbling for my achievements to be recognized by the Sporting Car Club alongside other drivers such as Russell Ingall...



"To leave everything behind in Australia to take on the American Le Mans Sports Car Scene was both the hardest and easiest decision to make. Spraying champagne on top of the podium at famous venues such as Sebring, Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca make all the sacrifices and challenges of being overseas and pursuing my dream of racing at Le Mans all worth it.

There is nothing like looking down to see the Australian flag next to your name as you climb into the cockpit to take on some of the best up-and-coming talent in the world.

When I’m racing I am racing for everyone back home. Every fastest lap, pole position and podium, and the 2008 IMSA Lites Championship, has been fuelled by the thoughts, wishes and support of those back home.

I can think of no better example of this than the 2008 Utah Grand Prix weekend when I did a Skype video link-up from the airport to the supporters’ dinner held at the clubrooms. The packed clubrooms cheered me on to set a IMSA Lites 2 track-lap record that still stands, first in class and an unprecedented 2nd overall.

To know that my car driving career started with the Sporting Car Club of SA, competing in Hillclimbs at Collingrove and the State Championships at Mallala in a Formula Vee, makes me a very proud member. To be recognized by my club and my peers is extremely special and I look forward to being able to re-unite and have a beer with you when I’m back in Adelaide.”

Drewer returns to his home in Australia in late November to spend Christmas with his family and prepare for the 2011 season.

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Drewer flies in from USA to race in Australian Formula 3 Drivers Championship.

American based Tom Drewer is to race for the R-Tek Formula 3 team in the Australian Drivers Championship at Phillip Island this weekend. (May 1-2).

It will be Drewer’s first race in a Formula 3 open-wheeler with the former Adelaide driver in his third year in the USA concentrating on driving prototype sports cars in the IMSA American Le Mans Series.

In his first season (2008) in the USA Drewer won the IMSA Lites 2 Championship with ten victories, eleven pole positions and five lap records.

Last year he competed in a Panoz Elan L1 sports prototype and finished seventh in the senior title chase with ten top 10 finishes, a pole position, and a podium finish in the last race of the series to his credit.

As a result of his successes Drewer has been rewarded with successful tests in an Oreca Courage Formula Le Mans LMPC prototype sports car and the Panoz Team PTG Esperante GT2 machine.

Two weeks ago he also successfully drove for the APR team in the world racing debut of the VW Golf Mk 6 GTI at Barber Motorsport Park in Birmingham, Alabama USA.

The event was a two and half hour endurance race as part of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge for production based cars.

Commenting from the USA today on his ‘Down Under drive’ Drewer said:

"It’s only a brief visit back to Australia, but its fantastic that Ian Richards from R-Tek has given me the opportunity to race a Formula 3 Dallara in the Australian Drivers Championship. The decision was only made today and I will barely make it to Phillip Island in time to jump in the car!

The drive has also come with support from Daily Planet and James Rosenberg from Gawler Farm Machinery, who of course supports another South Aussie driver Tim Slade in the V8 Supercar Championship.

Ian Richards is a great race engineer and a friend of my father Mike, and I am really thrilled to be driving one of his cars.

Not having driven a F3 car before, we will just see how it goes.

I have certainly raced plenty of high down force cars on the ultra fast North American circuits such as Road Atlanta, Miller Motorsport Park, Laguna Seca, and Mosport in Canada, so I guess that experience and the nature of the Phillip Island layout should help, but as with every new car it will be a steep learning curve particularly with no testing".

The Australian Drivers Championship is Australia’s premier open-wheel category and attracts a diverse group of competitors from around the world including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and China.

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Tom Drewer to make international racing debut of new Mk6 VW GTI with APR at Barber.

Australian racing star Tom Drewer, has been selected to drive in the historic international racing debut of the 6th generation Volkswagen GTI for the VW DriverGear supported APR Motorsport team.

Drewer will drive in Round 3 of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, a 2 hour 30 minute endurance race, at the Barber Motorsport Park, Alabama (April 8-10).

Held as part of the 2010 Indy Grand Prix of Alabama the weekend Drewer will join fellow Australian’s Ryan Briscoe and Will Power to be yet another Aussie competing.

"I feel very honored to be given the responsibility of the world racing debut of the new Mk6 Volkswagen Golf GTI,” he said.

The race will also be Drewer’s first in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge and his first for the Alabama based APR Motorsport, the competition arm of the highly regarded aftermarket performance product company APR.

“You could say I’ve been thrown into the deep end- there are many firsts this weekend. It will be the first race for the new VW Mk6 GTI, my first time with APR, my first race at Barber, and my first weekend in the
Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. Hopefully we can add another first to the list by the end of the weekend.”

But while a rookie to series, Tom has no shortage of experience behind the wheel, or that of a Volkswagen. Prior to heading to North America Drewer sampled the high horsepower of the Australian Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series while also competing in light-weight high down-force prototypes as the factory driver for West Race Cars Australia.

Drewer won the 2007 Thundersports Sports Car Championship and was offered a drive by West in the American IMSA Prototype Lites Series, where he dominated the Lites 2 category winning 10 from 12 races and the 2008 Championship. Last year, 2009, Drewer competed in the Prototype Lites 1 category and successfully tested both the American Le Mans Series Challenge car (LMPC) and a Panoz GT2 car. However, it was in the beginning of his career when Drewer found his love for VW’s.
























“I’m an absolute Volkswagen junkie, so it is a dream come true to be able to represent VW and APR. I think it all started because my father’s Australian Formula 2 racecar used a Golf engine. Back in Australia I even used to proudly wear the VW logo on top of my go-kart helmet because I love the ‘dub’ that much.

For my first road car I bought a Golf - a 1976 Mk1 - which my father and I worked pretty heavily, installing a 16v engine out of a later model GTI. I hill-climbed that car, and when it was time for my first true racing car we bought a Super Vee (VW powered open-wheeler), so I’m really going back to my roots this weekend.”

And that he is. To support his early racing Drewer worked for an Australian APR agent, German Auto, in South Australia. For the record, Drewer won the Under 2000cc Road Registered category at the 2001 South Australian Hillclimb Championships in his 1976 VW Golf Mk1, was 2002 South Australian Super Vee Rookie of the Year and the 2003 FVASA Super Vee Drivers’ Champion.

“I enjoyed great success in Volkswagens so I’m hoping I can continue the trend for APR and VW DriverGear in the new Mk6 GTI.”

Jeff Mishtawy, Director of Motorsport for APR, shared his sentiments on having Tom join the team, “I’m really proud to have signed him. Tom has driven such a large variety of cars and has so much experience; I’m looking forward to working with him on the car. Having a driver of his calibre providing feedback to a brand new car is an absolutely ideal situation, and I’m sure we’ll show that with our pace in April.”

Drewer’s APR VW Golf will run in what is know as the ST (Street Tuner) category competing against a field including Honda Civic SI, BMW 328i, Mazda MX-5, Mazda Rx-8, Kia Forte Koup, Chevrolet Cobalt SS, and Mini Cooper S.

Sharing the car with Drewer is APR Motorsport team principal Stephen Hooks. With both Drewer and Hooks behind the wheel it will be a historic debut for the Mk6 GTI as it’s taken on track by two drivers with a deep history with Volkswagen products.

Drewer summed it up; “My fist car was Golf, and so is my next. I’m returning to where it all began, behind the wheel of a Volkswagen GTI. I can’t wait!”

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Drewer and Hooks to debut new MK6 VW GTi for VW DriverGear and APR. (APR Motorsport)

APR Motorsport Signs Australian Tom Drewer and Announces the Return of Stephen Hooks to Grand Am to Drive New MK6 VW GTi in its International Racing Debut at Barber Motorsports Park.

APR Motorsport presents Australian racing star Tom Drewer and the return of Stephen Hooks to Grand Am to drive in the historic international racing debut of the VW DriverGear MK6 Volkswagen GTi. Drewer and Hooks will drive in Round 3 of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, a 2 hour 30 minute endurance race, at Barber Motorsports Park, Alabama (April 8-10).

APR Motorsport returns to Barber, the team’s home track, after last year’s win in the #171 MK5 GTi driven by Ian Baas and MESCO Rookie of the Year Josh Hurley. Ian has moved up in class to pilot APR Motorsport’s Audi S4 in Grand Sport for the 2010 season. Josh Hurley returns with new co-driver Kevin Stadtlander, now in the VW DriverGear #181 MK5 GTi, to fight for the win alongside team mates Tom Drewer and Stephen Hooks in the new MK6 GTi and Mike Sweeney and Mike Halpin who return last year’s winning #171 GTi...

After a nearly 10 year hiatus from professional racing, Stephen Hooks, President and CEO of APR, LLC, returns to Grand Am for the unveiling of the new GTi. Stephen last appeared in 2001 in a now 3 generations old Audi S4 which he drove in the Grand Am Cup, the predecessor to the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. When asked about why he has been missing in action for so long, Stephen replied, “The last 10 years have been a time in my life where I have focused heavily on the restructuring and further development of APR, LLC. We have seen our staff grow tremendously, we’ve built a brand new purpose built engineering facility, rapidly expanded our road going car product line, increased our distribution to over 40 countries and 250 retailers and most recently, began 2 new race teams. I’ve never lost my passion for driving and I am thankful for the opportunity to return with more resources, more talent and more support.” Stephen has participated in several tests the last couple of years with APR Motorsport and is a primary provider of feedback to the technical staff regarding the cars’ performance. Stephen’s typical race day activities include team strategy however, the upcoming event at Barber finds him behind the wheel with a perfect opportunity to for a good showing with co-driver Tom Drewer. The entire APR Motorsport Team is excited for Stephen as it’s obvious from his testing laps he’s never lost his edge.

"I feel very honored to be given the responsibility of the world racing debut of the new MK6 Volkswagen GTi along with Stephen,” Tom Drewer said.

The race will also be Drewer’s first in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge and his first for the Alabama based APR Motorsport, the competition arm of the highly regarded aftermarket performance product company APR. “You could say I’ve been thrown into the deep end- there are many firsts this weekend. It will be the first race for the new VW MK6 GTi, my first time with APR, my first race at Barber, and my first weekend in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. Hopefully we can add another first to the list by the end of the weekend.”

But while a rookie to the series, Tom has no shortage of experience behind the wheel, or that of a Volkswagen. Prior to heading to North America Drewer sampled the high horsepower of the Australian Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series while also competing in light-weight high down-force prototypes as the factory driver for West Race Cars Australia. Drewer won the 2007 Thundersports Sports Car Championship and was offered a drive by West in the American IMSA Prototype Lites Series, where he dominated the Lites 2 category winning 10 from 12 races and the 2008 Championship. Last year, 2009, Drewer competed in the Prototype Lites 1 category and successfully tested both the American Le Mans Series Challenge car (LMPC) and a Panoz GT2 car. However, it was in the beginning of his career when Drewer found his love for VW’s.

“I’m an absolute Volkswagen junkie, so it is a dream come true to be able to represent VW and APR. I think it all started because my father’s Australian Formula 2 racecar used a Golf engine. Back in Australia I even used to proudly wear the VW logo on top of my go-kart helmet because I love ‘dubs’ that much.

For my first road car I bought a GTi - a 1976 Mk1 - which my father and I modified pretty heavily, installing a 16v engine out of a later model GTi. I hill-climbed that car, and when it was time for my first true racing car we bought a Super Vee (VW powered open-wheeler), so I’m really going back to my roots this weekend.”

And that he is. To support his early racing Drewer worked for an Australian APR agent, German Auto, in South Australia. For the record, Drewer won the Under 2000cc Road Registered category at the 2001 South Australian Hillclimb Championships in his 1976 VW GTi Mk1, was 2002 South Australian Super Vee Rookie of the Year and the 2003 FVASA Super Vee Drivers’ Champion.

“I enjoyed great success in Volkswagens so I’m hoping I can continue the trend for APR and VW DriverGear in the new MK6 GTI.”

Jeff Mishtawy, Director of Motorsport for APR, shared his sentiments on having Tom join the team, “I’m really proud to have signed him. Tom has driven such a large variety of cars and has so much experience; I’m looking forward to working with him on the car. Having a driver of his calibre providing feedback to a brand new car is an absolutely ideal situation, and I’m sure we’ll show that with our pace in April.”

Drewer’s APR VW GTi will run in what is known as the ST (Street Tuner) category competing against a field including Honda Civic SI, BMW 328i, Mazda MX-5, Mazda Rx-8, Kia Forte Koup, Chevrolet Cobalt SS, and Mini Cooper S.

Sharing the car with Drewer is APR Motorsport team principal Stephen Hooks. With both Drewer and Hooks behind the wheel, it will be a historic debut for the MK6 GTi as it’s taken on track by two drivers with a deep history with Volkswagen products.

Drewer summed it up; “My fist car was GTi, and so is my next. I’m returning to where it all began, behind the wheel of a Volkswagen GTi. I can’t wait!”

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Drewer on podium at Petit Le Mans two years in a row.

Tom Drewer has claimed a podium finish for the second successive year at the Road Atlanta circuit in Georgia USA at the running of the Petit Le Mans event.

The ex- Adelaide driver took second place in the pent ultimate 2009 IMSA Lites round, backing up his two victories at the iconic event last year in the L2 category that also saw him take the Championship in his first year of international competition.

Drewer started his 2009 Road Atlanta campaign extremely strongly on the fast undulating 2.54mile (4km) circuit with his Ubantu Resort sponsored car second fastest until the dying seconds of qualifying when he was bumped to fourth.

“Qualifying was like a world title fight. We were trading fastest times all session long and it was a matter of who landed the last blow with the fastest lap before the bell rang to finish the session. It was a real blast and I guess any of about six of seven drivers could have had pole”, Drewer said.

In Race 1 Drewer and his Ubantu Resort Elan showed electrifying pace and he pushed Canadian Kyle Marcelli until the very end after the pair eventually broke away from the pack in the highly competitive 25 car field.

“Like in qualifying I had a ball. The race was run all the way without a caution or a pace car and we really went for it.

For about the first third of the race the top ten were all backed up with each other, but then Kyle and I broke away and in the end we finished more than 20 seconds ahead of the guy in third. We just kept on punching out 180kph average lap speeds, but I just couldn’t put the pass on Kyle and he deserved the win. He drove a great race”

With grid positions for Race 2 determined by lap times in the first event, Drewer was elevated to the front row by virtue of him turning a lap of 1:21.059 - faster than Marcelli - but an agonising 6 thousands of a second off the pole time set by Gary Gibson

In the race Drewer again pushed hard from the green and slotted into second, but then Marcelli attempted a pass around the outside into turn 10 and the two cars touched.

“I wanted to give Kyle racing room and I figure he didn’t try to pull into me, but when we made contact my car got a little out of shape and it turned me round into the gravel.

It’s a little unusual to come out second best in an incident like this when you are on the inside, but I’m not blaming Kyle and I figure it was a true racing incident. We race to win and drive tough but as far as I am concerned it was just one of those things. I figure I will still buy Kyle a beer and a pie from the Aussie pie shop here in Atlanta when I get a chance!

Unfortunately I got beached in the gravel and it took forever to get out of it. I was nearly a lap down on the leader but I just went for it from the back of the field and set the second fastest lap of the race, and went faster than the three guys on the podium despite all the traffic I had to pass.

I was sort of hoping for a yellow to bunch it all up. It’s funny because most of the time I hate the caution laps, but anyway it didn’t happen so I passed about 10 cars and finished in 13th.

It was a great race and it’s sometimes like that. You don’t get the result at the end but you know you when you are in the zone and I was very positive about my drive. I had a good car, I had the speed, and I didn’t leave anything in the garage. That’s why I go racing.

I guess my podium in race 1 and the drive in race 2 made some impact also because one of the guys from the Audi Le Mans team and plenty of others in the paddock took the time to give me a pat on the back. That’s nice when you get that sort of feedback from guys who really know the business.”

Drewer now looks to winter testing in the USA for the 2010 season before returning home to Australia for Christmas.

“I am determined to make another progression in 2010. I’m already speaking to multiple teams about different rides next year and I might just be testing one of those possibilities very soon. So as they say, stay tuned.

I didn’t win the Championship this year, but I am a better, more complete driver than I was 12 months ago, and two years ago when I left Australia to have a real go.

Pole in New Jersey was cool and to podium here at Road Atlanta was really great.

A huge thanks to everyone that has made this season possible- Ubantu Resort, Nichole Jennings and John Trimble, my dad Mike and mom Jacquie, Terry Little, and everyone who has backed my car from Australia.

Then there is my trainer Gary Daniels and Health Defense, Comprent Motor Sport team owner Kevin Kloepfer, my crew guys Terry Jinks, Casey Free and John Stephens and all the others back at the shop. They have all done an awesome job.”

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Drewer scores first podium in Lites 1.

Tom Drewer finished second in Race 1 at the 12th Annual Petit Le Mans event today. His lap time also put his Ubantu Resort car on the front row for race 2 tomorrow.

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Drewer heads into ‘hometown’ season finale at Petit Le Mans.

This week Australian Tom Drewer will compete in the final two rounds of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship presented by Frisby Performance Tire as part of the 12th Annual Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda 6.

The event held at Road Atlanta, Braselton is effectively Drewer’s home event as he’s been staying in Georgia for the past two years during the racing season.

“My US base has been Georgia for two years now. Both West Races Cars, who I drove for last year, and Comprent Motor Sports are based here and I have been staying in Atlanta and Athens, both only about an hour from the circuit. I guess you could say it’s a home away from home.”

So does the young Le Mans hopeful feel that this gives him a hometown advantage?


“I don’t think so. Although living close to the circuit has allowed me to visit a few race meetings I have been on a very limited budget so it’s not like I’ve done many laps around it. Its not since the start of the year that I have turned a wheel around here. This will only be my fourth or fifth time on the circuit. Most of the guys I am competing against have been driving this place for years.”

However, his lack of experience around the fast undulating 2.54mile (4km) track didn’t sway Drewer last year. From pole position Drewer won his first two races at Road Atlanta setting a new track lap record in the process. It was his 7th and 8th win of the 2008 season and allowed Drewer to wrap up the 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Championship with two rounds remaining.

This year Drewer has moved up a class and is driving a Comprent Motor Sport prepared Élan DP-02 in the Lites 1 category.

“2009 has certainly been more of a rollercoaster than last year. It has in many ways been more of a learning year too, even though 2008 was my first here in America.

I proved in New Jersey I have what it takes. I am focused on finishing the year, here at Road America on another positive note.”

In New Jersey Drewer put his Ubantu Resort sponsored car on pole position with the fastest lap of the weekend and dominated the first half of the race.

“I’m determined to end the season on a high. It’s the best way I can repay all those who are helping me achieve my dreams and goal of becoming Australia’s next Le Mans winner.

I want to use this opportunity to thank everyone who is behind me. Particularly John Trimble and Nichole Jennings from Ubantu Resort, my mother and father for giving up so much, Terry Little and all of my friends, family and fans back home in Australia who share my belief and give up their hard-earned cash to make this happen. We are getting closer.

I am ready to make the next step. Part of my focus this year has been developing into a well-rounded driver.

I have been working on my physical and mental fitness with Gary Daniels and Health Defense. I have tested a GT2 car and have another test announcement to make soon. I am already talking to teams about next year, looking at both GT and prototype drives including the new ALMS Le Mans prototype Challenge class using the Oreca-Courage P2 Formula Le Mans car.

But my focus for this week is Road Atlanta. The Petit Le Mans event is always fantastic. Looks like it may be a wet race week so that could be interesting. It’s an extremely challenging circuit in the dry!”

Drewer and the IMSA Lites are scheduled to hit the track on Tuesday morning for free practise. Official practise takes place Wednesday, Qualifying and Race 1 at 5:20pm Thursday and Race 2 at 12:10pm Friday.

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Canada didn't 'play out' for Drewer.

Tom Drewer couldn’t replicate the success of last year during this year’s Mobil 1 Grand Prix of Mosport for Rounds 11 & 12 of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship.

2008 was Drewer’s first race at the famous Canadian circuit and he marked the occasion winning the IMSA Lites 2 category. This year driving in IMSA Lites 1, the up-and-coming Australian had what he described as a ‘lack-lustre’ weekend for both himself and the Comprent team despite demon passes and tough, hard-fought races.

“2009 has certainly been more of a rollercoaster ride than last year. We made a good progression and peaked with taking pole position at New Jersey, and although I’ve been up the pointy end of the field and consistently collecting points we just haven’t been able to convert into podiums yet.

I came to Canada looking to put all the drama of Road America - where I got incorrectly black flagged - behind me. But it just seemed the team; both my teammate and I struggled to find the pace all weekend, especially straight-line speed.

As usual it was another fantastic event at Mosport and the Canadians came out in droves despite the weather that turned from high heat to rainstorms all weekend long. I think my highlight was letting a few lucky young race fans get a thrill by taking a seat in the Number 1 Ubantu Resort car for photos.”

Drewer started Round 11 in tenth position after qualifying was abandoned due to heavy fog on the high-speed 2.5mile (4km), 10-corner track located 1 hour east of Toronto, near Bowmanville Ontario.

“Both Charlie (Shears) and I were dealt a bit of a blow when qualifying was aborted. We had both been working away during the practice sessions, collecting data to pool for qualifying, rather than get outright times so we stared down the order.
I made a fantastic start though and immediately passed (Anthony) Nicolosi to be right behind my teammate. We duelled it out for a few laps. Charlie wasn’t giving me an inch, and I didn’t give him an inch back. I felt I was faster and pounced when he pressured (Gary) Gibson going into Turn 2 and they both ran wide, with Gibson running off and hitting the wall.

After the restart I pushed on and caught Antonio Downs. As I was catching him he had a bit of a moment but heading through Turn 8 his car was at full speed. Into 9, Antonio just checked up and I had nowhere to go. I know Antonio well and I think he must have had a problem; he wouldn’t do anything on purpose. It was just one of those things.

I avoided major contact with him but locked up the rears in the process and the car spun into the wall breaking the rear hub. It was a shame because we were on for another top 6 finish.”

Round 11 was won by Matt Downs. Round 12, won by Canadian local Kyle Marcelli, saw Drewer start in 9th, one position behind his teammate Charlie Shears.

“Again, I got off to another strong start and battled pretty hard with my team-mate and passed him before getting stuck behind (Johnny) Meriggi. He was so slow through Turn 2, but if you try anything on there you’ll be in the wall, and he blocked me heading into Three. I made quite a few solid attempts to pass him both in Three and Five and each time he just moved over and forced me off the road. I was quite surprised he didn’t get penalised for blocking, actually.

Due to one of those attempts I lost momentum out of Five and Charlie and Nicolosi got passed me. But I quickly redeemed myself, making an awesome move through Turn 3 to take Charlie on the inside and Meriggi on the outside. Meriggi then immediately started blocking Charlie and I guess Charlie got sick of that and put him into the wall at Three to bring out a full course yellow.

With two to go the race was restarted and coming up the back straight for the last time I passed Nicolosi to take the flag in eighth. It was a good, tough race but a pretty lack-lustre result.

I guess I can just take comfort in the fact I out raced my teammate in both races. In a situation where the team doesn’t have the pace that is all you can hope for. Regardless, a potential 6th and 8th weren’t the results I was looking for. I am still looking for my first podium of the season.

Comprent is a fantastic team who knows how to win and we know the Ubantu Resort car can be fast as we proved at New Jersey. I know the guys will put in the hard yards to get back at the front, and so will I. We are testing at Road Atlanta before the next race and, although I won’t be driving due to budget, I’ll be up there too learning as much as I can from the sidelines to make sure I’m as prepared as I can be for the season finale at the Petit Le Mans event.”

The last two rounds of the 2009 IMSA Lites presented by Frisby Performance Tire season will be held at the Petit Le Mans event at Road Atlanta on Thursday, September 24 and Friday, September 25.

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Drewer can’t wait for Canada.

Young Australian driver Tom Drewer heads to the world famous Mosport circuit this weekend for Rounds 11 & 12 of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship presented by Frisby Performance Tire, as part of the American Le Mans Series Mobil 1 Grand Prix of Mosport, August 27-30.

Drewer can’t wait to hit the high-speed 2.5mile (4km), 10-corner track located 1 hour east of Toronto, near Bowmanville Ontario. After all, it is one of the fastest of the season, with Drewer expecting his Ubantu Resort Élan DP-02 prototype to average over 116mph (185km/h) and reach a maximum of 145mph (235 km/h).

“A year ago I won my first ever race at Mosport. It was my first race in Canada, and my first time driving the circuit, so it’s a very special place for me.”

In 2008 Drewer won the Lites 2 class after starting from pole position (in class). It was his 6th race win of the season and he went on to claim the 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Championship with ten wins from twelve starts.


This year Drewer has stepped up to the faster Lites 1 cars, and while he has adapted to the car quickly and has been a consistent front-runner, it hasn’t been the ‘dream-run’ he had last year.

“I think we’ve really made a steady progression this year and then in New Jersey I showed I have what it takes. We put the car on pole for Race 2, with the fastest Lites 1 lap of the weekend, and led half the race.

But I guess lady luck hasn’t been on my side this year. In the end we could only manage fourth in Jersey and then blistered tires kept us off the podium again at Lime Rock. The last rounds at Road America were a complete disaster. I was incorrectly issued a black flag by race control, which we had to obey. That ruined the whole weekend, costing me finishing position in race 1, starting position in race 2 and valuable championship points. We should be 4th or a solid 5th in the Championship. Now we’re 7th.”

The hardship isn’t getting Drewer down though. He’s focused on his dream and working harder than ever to achieve his goals of following in the footsteps of fellow countryman David Brabham in becoming Australia’s next Le Mans Series driver and Le Mans 24 Hour winner.

“I’m living my dream, racing here in North America. It has been a lot of sacrifice to get to this point. I’ve given up everything I own, and left everything behind to come here. A lot of people back home (in Australia), my family, supporters and sponsors are giving up a lot too. It’s a big effort.

2008 was an amazing first year over here. A bit of bad luck this year is nothing to worry about. That’s motor racing. For sure it’s frustrating, but with my new sponsor Ubantu Resort I’m determined to hold a trophy up high this weekend. That’s what I’m focused on.

I’m working hard off the track to finish the season strongly and make the progression to ALMS, or potentially GrandAm, GT or prototypes next year. Gary Daniels of Health Defence is conditioning me for long stints in endurance races. I’m working on my mental game too, and seeking sponsorship partners for next year.

I must say I’m really excited by the announcement of the Le Mans Prototype Challenge class (LMPC) for the ALMS next year. It is certainly one of the options I’m investigating.

Last year Mosport delivered my first win in Canada. Hopefully this year it can deliver my first win in Lites 1, and the first win for my Comprent Motor Sports team. The atmosphere is always amazing at Mosport and the track is as ballsy as they come. I can’t wait.”

Tom Drewer and his Ubantu Resort Élan DP-02 will hit the track tomorrow morning, Thursday, August 27 for the first of two test sessions. Official practice gets underway Friday. Qualifying will be held on Saturday along with Round 11 at 6.35pm. Round 12 will be held directly before the American Le Mans Series Race at 1:30pm on Sunday, August 30.

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Team statement regarding incorrectly issued black flag during Road America weekend.

Comprent Motor Sport driver Tom Drewer’s weekend was effectively ruined after he was incorrectly issued
a black flag during Round 9 of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship at Road America.

Drewer qualified in sixth position for Round 9. However, after setting that time his sealed spec-engine failed.
Comprent motorsport replaced the sealed Élan Power Products engine with an identical sealed spec-unit, under the watch of an Élan representative before Round 9 and Drewer was given a ‘hardship’ lap 1 hour prior to the race commencing to complete an ‘installation’ lap on the new engine.

After not questioning Drewer or the team regarding the engine change prior to taking his starting position for the race, race officials incorrectly black-flagged Drewer during the first green flag lap of racing after the first full-course yellow and restart.

It must be noted that Comprent Motor Sport, its team members and driver Tom Drewer did in no way breach any rules or regulations.

Complying with race control, Comprent Motor Sport instructed Drewer to pit on that lap for the incorrectly applied stop and go penalty. Drewer, who was running 6th at the time of being issued the black flag rejoined the track as the last placed runner. Before completing one full lap of the circuit at full pace the race was again placed under full-course yellow and the race remained under full-course yellow until the chequered flag was displayed. Drewer was classified as finishing in 15th position, 14th in class.

As a result Drewer did not have the opportunity to complete a full ‘flying-lap’ to set his qualifying position for race 2 of the weekend, Round 10. Drewer started race 2 in 15th position and fought hard to move up to finish in 8th position.

Kevin Kloepfer, Team Owner, Comprent Motor Sport:
“I’m extremely disappointed with what happened, for both my team and our driver Tom Drewer. We did nothing wrong, the team didn’t break any rules or regulations.”

Tom Drewer, Driver, Car #1, Ubantu Resort / Daily Planet Racing:
“I have been denied of two likely top six finishes and valuable Championship points. It will likely effect my final Championship position. I am very disappointed, particularly for all my sponsors, including Ubantu Resort, and my supporters, fans, friends and family both here in America and back home in Australia who give up so much to allow me to race.

But I have already put this behind me and I’m just looking forward to getting on with it. I live to race and love and respect the sport. I love racing here in America. I just hope my backers will see fit to continue given this adversity.”

Prior to the Road America weekend Drewer sat in 5th position in the 2009 Lites 1 Championship standings, only 4 points behind 4th placed Comprent teammate Jonathan Gore. Drewer is the reigning 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Drivers’ Champion. A copy of the corrected time sheet with the notation for the incorrect issuing of the black flag is included with this release.

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Ubantu Resort to sponsor Drewer's 'new' approach at Road America.

A change of sponsor and a change to his preparation regime have resulted in Australian Le Mans hopeful, Tom Drewer feeling more positive than ever heading into this weekend’s Road America Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase featuring the American Le Mans Series (August 13-16, USA).

His new sponsor is Ubantu, a South-East Asian resort that will feature a full racing circuit.

In his quest to be Australia’s next Le Mans Series and 24 Hour starter, the twenty four year old from Adelaide, South Australia (venue of the ALMS Race of a Thousand Years, New Year’s Eve 1999-2000), has also teamed up with Health Defence and fitness trainer Gary Daniels.

“I’m more determined than ever to reach the top. Over the last year I have received a lot of recognition from Australia’s motor racing press, and while some would consider that pressure, it fuels me to succeed.”...

Australia’s AutoAction magazine has named Tom ‘Best Overseas Rookie’ in their annual awards while prestigious Wheels magazine has put Tom in their ‘Hot Half Dozen Watch List’ for 2009. Recently AutoAction magazine’s Cartoonist John 'Stonie' Stoneham pencilled in Drewer as one of Australia’s future Le Mans winners in a cartoon.

“2009 has been rather tough as I expected, even after winning the 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Championship. I’m on a very limited budget, with no testing; I have stepped up to Lites 1 which means a different car and new circuits again, like Road America.

But I proved I had the pace at New Jersey, which I hadn’t seen before and I’m looking forward to racing on what I’ve been told is one of America’s premier road racing venues.”

Drewer took pole position for Race 2 of the New Jersey Round of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship presented by Frisby Performance Tire with the fastest Lites 1 lap of the entire weekend.

“I’m always looking to improve as a driver and for quite some time I have been trying to find the right fitness adviser to ready myself for the next step, either ALMS prototypes or GT2, or maybe GrandAm.

I was approached by Gary Daniels of Health Defence, and he has devised a specific program taking into account the specific anatomical demands of a racing driver based on his background in professional cycling, martial arts and boxing.

He has been pushing me really hard at the gym and I can already feel the results. I think his unique background will really give me an edge - he has certainly got some demon tweaks that, I believe, no one else has.

We are also working on diet and mental strategies, and I have also recently taken up yoga. I must say I feel more positive and focused than ever heading into this weekend.”

The positive energy of change has also rubbed off elsewhere. Drewer’s new sponsor on the car for the remainder of the season is Ubantu Resort. Long time supporter John Trimble, and the Daily Planet will stay on board as a personal sponsor.

Ubantu Resort is a fully integrated major residential and hotel development in South East Asia on a subtropical island that has had minimal western influence, with a climate similar to Bali and Phuket. The self-sustaining, socially and environmentally responsible facility will work with, and benefit, the local community and will feature 5 international hotels, a super-yacht harbour and a unique motor racing circuit.

Drewer is optimistic that with these changes, will come a change in luck for the remainder of the season.

“We have made a very strong progression throughout the season, but on numerous occasions I have been robbed of my first Lites 1 podium or victory. This weekend at Road America I’m hoping to change all that.”

The long high-speed 4 mile (6.43km), 14 turn Road America circuit located at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin is one of the fastest on the IMSA Lites calendar with Drewer expecting to exceed 155mph (250km/h) at least three times per lap.

Drewer’s first ever outing on the circuit will be for first Practice on Thursday, August 13. Race 1 will be held on Saturday, August 15 and Race 2 on Sunday, August 16.

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Drewer moves to 5th in IMSA Lites Championship.

Australian Tom Drewer has moved from 7th to equal 5th in the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship presented by Frisby Performance Tire after Round’s 7 & 8 at Lime Rock Park, Connecticut, as part of the American Le Mans Series’ North East Grand Prix.

Drewer described the ‘rough and tumble’ weekend as one of “frustration” which almost ended in heartache before it had really even begun.

In the first practice session Drewer looked strong and was inside the top-six when an incident with a Lites 2 car left Drewer’s Daily Planet Élan DP-02 with heavy damage, including a broken front upright, and his weekend potentially in tatters.

“I was behind my team-mate from last year, Eric Vassian, in a West. After both slowing to pass a stricken car before the last corner we both began accelerating onto the main straight towards the next flag point.

As I approached him on the straightaway I caught him just as his car rapidly decelerated for a second time. I’m not sure if he had a problem. In the video it looks like he lost power. It took me completely by surprise- we were on a flat-out straightaway. I tried to avoid him, but I had nowhere to go. I turned but just couldn’t react fast enough to get the left front corner out of the way.

I couldn’t believe it. It was a devastating blow because it really disadvantaged us. Lime Rock is a very condensed two-day schedule. There is very little time between sessions and we had heavy damage to contend with.

The Comprent team did a great job to get me out for the second session, but we never got the car back on the flat-patch. I was instructed to take the session tentatively in case there was further damage sustained we didn’t know about. I had a fair bit of play in the steering box and a cocked steering wheel.

We weren’t worried about only being P10 in the session because we had qualifying to go and we had chosen not to put on new rubber like most of the guys in-front of us but, due to the weather, that proved to be a costly decision.”

During the American Le Mans Series session, 45 minutes prior to the scheduled IMSA Lites qualifying session a Severe Weather Warning was issued for Lime Rock and the entire surrounding area. Like storms of the previous day, thunder, heavy rain, hail and winds of up to 70mph were expected.

IMSA stopped the ALMS session short, and even though only light rain was falling, abandoned Lites qualifying declaring the session would become another practice and combined practice times would decide the grid for race 1.

“The rain came, but it wasn’t the down-pour they expected. However, it left the track wet enough for rain tyres and meant practice 2 times would be the day’s fastest. I had no way of putting in a lap to better my grid position. It was very frustrating.”

In Race One, Drewer made an amazing start and rocketed from tenth to six by the first corner, passing team-mate Charlie Sheers who had started 6th on the grid.

“It was a really tough aggressive race. We were all lapping around the same pace and battling it out. I found myself in fourth place when the safety car came out.

On the restart I had both teammates behind me. As we barrelled into Turn 1 Jonathan Gore dived on both Charlie and I but couldn’t make it stick. We battled it out for the rest of the race, and unfortunately I was behind both of them at the chequered flag, in 5th place.”

Race Two again saw Drewer make a great start from tenth on the grid.

“Race One was so intense I don’t think I ever had a clean lap, and that put me a little further back on the Race Two grid.

Again I got a great start and found myself in around seventh by the first corner, this time behind Charlie. The car felt good and the leaders just kept falling off the track. I was looking like I was on for fourth or possibly even third.

On around lap 7 it felt like something let go in the left rear corner. It started to sag around right-handers. I radioed the team and said I would proceed with caution. The rear was falling over itself and producing a lot of over-steer. It was like driving a sprint car. I couldn’t maintain my pace and started to fall into the clutches of the cars behind. Then one of the leaders fell off and brought out the safety car.

Just after the restart the two cars in front of me made heavy contact into turn 1 and spun. I had to lock-it all up to avoid contact with them, but that left the door open for a couple of cars to go by.

It was a real shame. Until the car had issues I thought we were knocking on the door of a podium. In the end I had to settle for 7th, struggling to just bring it home.”

Post race inspection revealed extremely heavy blistering and on both rear tyres of Drewer’s Daily Planet machine.

“There was almost no rubber left on the middle of the rear tires. The team is yet to determine if that was the cause or effect of the miss-handling car, or if something else broke. Looking at them I think I was really lucky to finish at all.

At least we kept hauling points. I gave it my all but it just wasn’t our weekend. I’m just glad it’s over and I can’t wait to get to Road America to make up for it.”

Despite the weekend’s frustrations Drewer still collected valuable Championship points and now sits equal fifth with Gary Gibson, within striking distance of team-mate Jonathan Gore in fourth.

2009 IMSA Lites Championship – Current Points Score

1 | Matt Downs 130pts
2 | Joel Feinberg 127pts
3 | Lucas Downs 110pts
4 | Jonathan Gore 84pts
5 | TOM DREWER 80pts
= | Gary Gibson 80pts

Tom Drewer’s next event is the Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase at the famous Road America circuit, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 14-16.

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Drewer ready to 'rock'n'roll' in Connecticut.

Coming off the back of his best performance of the year, the young American Le Mans Series hopeful Tom Drewer is looking forward to Round’s 7 & 8 of the IMSA Lites Championship at this weekend’s North East Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park, Connecticut.

At last month’s stand alone Mazda Formula-X event the Australian hot-shot took his first pole position for 2009, setting a new qualifying lap record for New Jersey’s Thunderbolt raceway with what proved to be the fastest lap of the weekend.

It was also his first pole position in the Lites 1 category, which he moved to this year after winning the 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Championship in only his first year of competition in North America.

Asked whether he was possibly inspired by a recent test in the Panoz Team PTG Esperante American Le Mans GT2 car at Summit point raceway Drewer said,

“That was certainly a positive experience, but I think it was about time we put the Daily Planet car back up where it belongs. I’m very committed to progressing to the next level. I’ve been working hard with the guys at Comprent (Drewer’s Lites 1 team) and it’s paying off.

It was great at New Jersey to take the green from the front and to have clear air in front, leading the pack, even if the car went away a little after the restart. It was frustrating that we finished off the podium in fourth.

This year I’ve had the challenge of a new car, with no testing, and Lites 1 is very competitive, after all most of these guys have lots of experience in these cars and on these circuits. But this is the junior category to the American Le Mans Series and tough competition is why I came to America.

We showed in New Jersey we have what it takes. We proved we have the speed.

I know a win is just around the corner now and I want to be the one to get Comprent’s first win of the year.

I think it should be a great weekend at Lime Rock. It’s a beautiful part of the world. I can’t wait to get back into the car and keep the momentum of New Jersey going. I’m at one with the car now, and I’m more determined than ever. I’m ready to rock’n'roll!”

Drewer’s determination and results are being noticed too. Drewer was recently pencilled in as a future Le Mans Winner. Drewer’s name was included in a cartoon by world-renowned motorsport cartoonist John ‘Stonie’ Stoneham for Auto Action magazine suggesting he will one day follow in the footsteps of fellow countrymen David Brabham who won this year’s 24 Hour with Peugeot.

This comes after he was named by Auto Action magazine as Australia’s ‘Best Rookie Overseas’ following his stellar performance in 2008 and was also included in Australia’s Wheels Magazine’s Hot Half Dozen watch list.

Drewer makes his first appearance on the Lime Rock circuit at 10:40am EST Friday, July 17. Qualifying will occur later that day, while Race 1 and 2 will be on Saturday, July 18.

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Drewer pencilled in as future Australian Le Mans winner.

World-renowned Australian motor sport cartoonist, John 'Stonie' Stoneham has pencilled in Tom Drewer as one of Australia’s future Le Mans winners.

In a cartoon published in this week’s Australian Auto Action magazine, 'Stonie' has put forward two possible successors for David Brabham who was only the fourth Australian outright winner of the famous French Le Mans 24 Hour race.

Joining the statues of Bernard Rubin, Vern Schuppan, Geoff and David Brabham in the cartoon are two names adorning unfinished plinths, that of current V8 Supercar champion Jamie Whincup and that of US-based Tom Drewer, an American Le Mans Series’ feeder category champion.

Drewer is attempting to follow in the footsteps of fellow South Australian Vern Schuppan, who won
Le Mans outright with Porsche in 1983, and 2009 Le Mans winner and American Le Mans Series regular, David Brabham.

“To be mentioned in the same sentence or in this case the same drawing as the likes of the Brabham brothers, Vern and Whincup is a huge honour.

Both David and Vern have been fantastic mentors to me in the last year and a half. Vern is also from Adelaide, South Australia. He helped advise me, and endorsed my decision to come to America last year. And ‘Brabs’ has been fantastic to talk to in the paddock during the season.

They have both achieved so much, both racing in Formula 1 and winning the 24 Hour. They are definitely people I look up to and I’m absolutely focused on one day matching their international motor racing success, especially Le Mans. Hopefully I can beat Whincup to becoming the next Australian!”

2009 is only Drewer’s second year competing in America and already he looks set to make the transition into the AMLS GT2 category after testing with Panoz Team PTG earlier this month.

The young up-and-coming Australian sold up everything to pursue an international sportscar career and last year, his first time racing in America, he won ten from twelve races including the opening two rounds at the Sebring 12 Hour event to claim the 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Championship.

This year Drewer has stepped up to the Lites 1 category driving for Daily Planet Racing/Comprent Motor Sports in an Élan DP-02 junior prototype and is again his talents are impressing. With the fastest lap of the weekend, Drewer qualified on pole position for the last race (Round 6) at New Jersey Motorsports Park and went on to dominate the first half of the race.

“I am determined to make the transition to the main-game (American Le Mans Series) by the end of the year. Make no mistake, I want to drive prototypes and that is why I chose IMSA Lites, but I think GT2 would be the next logical progression.

I nearly had a seat at Sebring for the 12 hour this year. It was really disappointing when that team decided to withdraw their entry, so it was fantastic to get a taste of a GT2 with Panoz the other day. Having that big rumbling Ford V8 up front reminded me of the V8 Supercars I drove back home.”

Asked if the Panoz drive is a sign of things to come, Drewer remained a little vague.

“Now that would be following in David’s footsteps! [Brabham drove both Panoz GT and Prototypes]. We’re currently investigating all sorts of avenues. But yes I certainly have my sights set on North American GT and Prototype drives.”

Drewer’s next IMSA Lites races, Rounds 7 & 8 are to be held at Lime Rock, Connecticut, on July 17 & 18 as part of the American Le Mans Series North East Grand Prix. The ALMS race will be David Brabham’s first event since winning Le Mans for Peugeot. He will be back driving in the Patron Highcroft Acura.

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Drewer sets new Qualifying Lap Record, claims Pole and best results at New Jersey.

Young Australian Tom Drewer showed he has more than what it takes to run at the front of the premiere division of IMSA Lites at the Mazda Formula X weekend held at New Jersey’s Thunderbolt raceway near Millville, New Jersey USA.

Drewer, who won the 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Championship, proved he can match and beat the best of the Lites 1 category on Sunday as he set a new Qualifying Track Record around the 2.17 mile road course with the fastest Lites 1 lap of the weekend, 1 minute 15.327 seconds.



The nail biting half hour session saw drivers Lucas Downs, Kyle Marcelli, Joel Feinberg and Johnny Meriggi trade fastest times with Drewer until the Aussie nailed a blistering lap in his Daily Planet machine to take the coveted pole position by a mere .022 of a second, with the top seven cars all within less than .8 of a second apart.

“I knew we had found a much better setup in Saturday’s race but I just couldn’t utilise it, getting stuck behind Meriggi for most of the race.

So I just gave it everything today. I had the car on the edge for three laps in a row and dug ready deep. It was awesome to finally hear ‘P1’ on the radio in only my third race weekend of Lites 1.

The amazing thing was it wasn’t the perfect lap. I had a slight lock-up in turn 5 and that cost me a couple of tenths. I was likely on for a sub 1 minute 15 lap.”

After claiming pole Drewer, who finished 5th in Saturday’s Round 5 race, got off to a perfect start in Sunday’s Round 6 and dominated the first half of the race.

“Last year having class pole in Lites 2 usually meant starting mid-pack, so this was my first rolling start from the front of the grid since karting– we generally do standing starts in Australia.

It was a perfect start and although I had Lucas on the outside of turn 1 I controlled the corner and quickly found my rhythm.

It was fantastic to once again have nothing but clear track in front. The guys behind were pushing really hard but I just kept my head down and led, with a gap, right up to the full course yellow came out with around 20 minutes to go.

My car was starting to go off a little and I found it really difficult to keep the temperature in the tires with the pace car down to 35mph. Upon the restart I just couldn’t seem to find the same grip as in the first half of the race. It was a shame because I immediately slipped back to fourth. I continued to push hard to try and get back onto the podium but we just didn’t quite have the pace.

It was frustrating to finish lower than what we started but I’m really happy we led a lot of laps today. We are very close to podiums and wins now.”

It was the first time Drewer’s team, 2008 IMSA Lites 1 Championship winning Comprent Motor Sports, had led race laps since last year. Drewer’s fourth position is his best result so far in the 2009 IMSA Lites 1 season.

“I really must thank all the boys at Comprent Motor Sports, especially Kenny and Terry, for all their hard work this weekend. We are moving in the right direction and I can’t wait to further reward everyone who is allowing me to follow my dreams. A big thank you to John Trimble and the Daily Planet, Terry Little, all my supporters and friends back home, and my Mother and Father.”

Drewer and IMSA Lites presented by Frisby Performance Tire next head to Lime Rock, Connecticut for the North East Grand Prix, July 17-18, 2009.

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